Student route to career in building industry

New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors – Careers DVD Media release

For release from 4pm 3rd October 2007

Student route to global career in building industry

Secondary schools in New Zealand are being targeted by the New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS) with the message that qualifications in this key sector of the building industry represent an assured route to local and overseas employment.

President Bruce Glennie said today: “With tertiary qualifications gained in New Zealand quantity surveyors can move into an excellent and rewarding career path both here and in most countries of the world.”

The Institute is promoting quantity surveying this month with the release of a new Careers DVD aimed at secondary school students. A copy of the DVD has been posted to all 471 secondary schools in the country. The DVD highlights the many roles of a quantity surveyor in New Zealand. It has been completed after a two year filming and review process using NZIQS members in their work roles.

Mr Glennie, of Christchurch, said that although a numerically small profession, quantity surveyors are key professionals in the construction industry in New Zealand and internationally, providing financial and budgeting advice from the initial feasibility study through the design and construction phases to contract finalisation.

Also known internationally as Cost Engineers and Building Economists, quantity surveyors are the professional cost advisers and contract administrators for managing construction projects because of their specialised knowledge of construction economics, and their skills in the measurement and management of construction costs and funding.

“There is a worldwide shortage of experienced quantity surveyors” Mr Glennie said. “Many have been imported into New Zealand over the last few years in an endeavour to meet the demand here for their skills.

“New Zealand students who choose to be Quantity Surveyors can gain their tertiary qualifications in New Zealand and move into an excellent and rewarding career path within New Zealand, as well as being in demand in most other countries in the world. London, Dubai, Ireland and Australia report shortages of these key professionals.”

The New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors currently has over 1100 members. The Institute has been active in promoting quantity surveying as a career, and setting the professional and ethical standard for membership since 1943. –

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